Amherstburg celebrates Canada’s 147th birthday

Fireworks thrilled the thousands of people that attended the Canada Day event at Fort Malden. This is an image of “stacked” photos of several fireworks taken over a few minutes. (PHOTO BY ADRIAN HARTE)

Essex MP Jeff Watson (centre) and the Fort Malden gun crew fired the cannon to help officially open Canada Day festivities at Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada July 1.

Rachel Fitzgerald and Adam Barron perform during Canada Day festivities at Fort Malden.

Kerri Brown sings as part of Canada Day celebrations at Fort Malden.

Thousands lines the banks of the Detroit River as a spectacular fireworks show capped Canada Day in Amherstburg.

Thousands lines the banks of the Detroit River as a spectacular fireworks show capped Canada Day in Amherstburg.

By Ron Giofu

Canada turned 147-years-old on July 1 with thousands coming out to the birthday bash in Amherstburg.

Canada Day festivities were held at Fort Malden National Historic Site of Canada with the town and Fort Malden teaming up to provide a day-long schedule of events. Activities included a number of stage performers to horseback riding, zumba, mini militias and more, capped by a spectacular fireworks display over the Detroit River.

As part of the day’s opening ceremonies, Essex MP Jeff Watson said Canada Day was a day “to celebrate what makes us special as a nation.

“We have values, freedom, democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law,” Watson said.
Watson also helped fire the cannon at the conclusion of the opening ceremonies, but before that, he further commented that “we look pretty darn good for 147-years-old” and encouraged the public to “celebrate the fact we are Canadian.”

Essex MPP Taras Natyshak said he was thankful for the freedoms that are available in Canada.

“We are so blessed to live in such a peaceful country,” said Natyshak. “I am proud to be Canadian and proud to live in this wonderful country.”

Mayor Wayne Hurst – joined on the stage for the opening ceremonies by Deputy Mayor Ron Sutherland and councillors Diane Pouget and Carolyn Davies – praised the town’s tourism and culture department including the work of that department’s manager Anne Rota.

“It’s a wonderful day for a wonderful event celebrating the birth of a wonderful country,” he said.

Hurst recalled that Canada didn’t have its own flag for nearly the first 100 years of the nation’s existence and was grateful that then-Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson initiated the cause of getting a flag for Canada.

“I am proud of this country and I appreciate being a citizen of the country called Canada,” he added.